Battles of Ichinotani and
Yashima
Edo period (1615–1868), first half of 17th century
Pair of six-panel screens; ink, color, and gold on paper
John C. Weber Collection
Cat. no. 4

The twelfth-century Genpei Wars, fought by the rival Minamoto
and Taira clans (also known as Genji and Heike) for military and
political control, are chronicled in the fourteenth-century Tale
of the Heike. Although the Taira had the upper hand during
the 1170s, the Minamoto were ultimately victorious. Screens depicting
battle scenes were popular during the seventeenth century because
they stood as testaments to the warrior ideals of martial bravery
and fierce loyalty. On the right screen is the battle in spring
of 1184 at Ichinotani (near present-day Kobe on the mainland),
which resulted from a surprise attack by the Minamoto. On the
left screen is the subsequent engagement at Yashima (on the coast
of the island of Shikoku), where the Taira had taken refuge after
their defeat at Ichinotani.

2.
The charge of the Minamoto troops down the Hiyodori Pass, led by Minamoto no
Yoshitsune, marks the start of full battle. Below, deer that have fled down
the precipice in fear are shot dead by Taira no Kiyonori.

4. Taira no Shigehira is pursued along the shore by Kajiwara
Kagesue of the Minamoto (at the top), and Taira no Tomomori urges his horse
to swim so he can escape to a boat. Kumagai Naozane beckons with his fan to
Taira no Atsumori, challenging him to return to shore and fight (in the middle),
and an overloaded boat has capsized, where the Minamoto warrior Chikatsune manages
to seize Taira no Moromori, who is only 14 years old.

5. Battle begins with the arrival of the Minamoto squadron at the shore. The Taira send their best archer, Noritsune, to shoot the Minamoto leader; instead he manages to hit a close retainer, Tsuginobu, who falls from his horse. Noritsune’s attendant, Kikuô, leaps from the boat and tries in vain to take off the fallen warrior’s head as a trophy.

6. A Taira lady fixes a fan to a pole and beckons to the Genji,
trying to lure them closer to the water’s edge. Nasu no Yoichi is chosen
to accept the challenge and, despite the fading light and strong winds, hits
the target and the fan shatters in mid-air. Yoichi next hits a Taira warrior,
which causes a skirmish (just above), with Kagekiyo of the Taira brandishing
the neckpiece of Mionoya Jurô, who has just escaped his grasp. At the
very top is the burning of the palace at Yashima by the Minamoto.